BUCKFIELD — Austin Dooley’s aunt had breast cancer. Stacy Pepin’s aunt and grandfather died from cancer. And Alexander Bedard believes it’s a good thing for people, even those who have no direct connection to cancer, to help raise funds to fight the disease.

The three Buckfield Junior-Senior High School seniors are among eight students and two staff members who will participate in a 5K run/walk Saturday as part of the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston.

The team, known as Bucks Raising Buck$, will proudly wear their maroon and white jerseys during the event.

Getting the team together happened quickly.

Presenters from the Dempsey Challenge visited the school a couple of weeks ago, and this week the team got together. This is the first time most of the eight students will have taken part in a fundraising run/walk.

Dooley, a National Honor Society member, was part of Buckfield’s honor society cheering squad last year at the annual fundraiser in Lewiston.

This year, he decided to directly participate.

Honor Society adviser and English and French teacher, Deborah Litchfield, said the group stood on the sidelines of the run/walk course last year and hollered, hooted, clapped and in general cheered the participants on.

She said at least seven National Honor Society members, along with several friends and family members, will provide the same positive prodding at this year’s event.

Lee Gaudette, the school’s health and family consumer science teacher and a senior class adviser, has organized the event.

In addition to the personal connections to cancer, Gaudette said fundraisers have been held for the mother of a student who has been battling cancer. And a home soccer game was also dedicated to her.

The mother of a classmate who is battling breast cancer is a major reason Danielle Patrie, Hartford, decided to join with other Buckfield seniors to take part in the Dempsey Challenge.

“It’s a good thing to do, she said.

Senior Morgan Lueck of Sumner won’t be running or walking the challenge, but he is a member because he got the event rolling and on the Internet after the presentation at the school.

A portion of the $35 registration fee for each participant is being covered by several school-related organizations, Gaudette said.

During next year’s Dempsey Challenge, the fee will likely be reduced and plans are to include middle schoolers, said Tish Caldwell, spokeswoman for Positive Tracks, which is a new component of the Dempsey Challenge.

Under Positive Tracks, a youth initiative was made for all people age 23 and younger. Jane’s Trust will match up $100,000 raised by participating groups who include at least 50 percent young people, Caldwell said. Those funds come from New England businesses.

Other team members are students Abby Bragg of Sumner, Keegan Hutchinson of Buckfield and Haylee Barry of Buckfield, and math teacher Lindsay Williams and nutrition employee Jo Marston.

Those wanting to make a donation, which will be matched, may do so by logging on to dempseychallenge.org, click on make a donation, then to donate in the name of one of the Buckfield team members.

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